Housing for optical components

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a tubular housing having an axial length L and a circumferential length C. A first canopy secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the first canopy extends for an axial length L 1  that is less than L and for a circumferential length C 1  that is less than C/2. The first canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter. A second canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy and secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy. The second canopy extends an axial length L 2  that is less than L and a circumferential length C 2  that is less than C/2. The second canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to optical components, and morespecifically to a housing for optical components that includes opposingcanopies with a reduced profile in place of bulkier body housings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical components can be housed in many different types of housings.These housings are typically symmetrical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus is disclosed that includes a tubular housing having anaxial length L and a circumferential length C. A first canopy is securedto the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, where thefirst canopy extends for an axial length L1 that is less than L and fora circumferential length C1 that is less than C/2. The first canopy hasa front sloping section and a rear sloping section that each extend fromthe perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter. A second canopy isdisposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy and is secured tothe tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy. The secondcanopy extends for an axial length L2 that is less than L and for acircumferential length C2 that is less than C/2. The second canopy has afront sloping section and a rear sloping section that each extend fromthe perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarilyto scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating theprinciples of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of a housing for an optical componentin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an end view of a housing for an optical componentin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a tubular portion of a housing for an opticalcomponent in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a tubular portion of a housing for an opticalcomponent in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cut-away view of a tubular portion of a housingfor an optical component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an optical component alignment fixture inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an optical component in an optical componentalignment fixture in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawingfigures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown ingeneralized or schematic form and identified by commercial designationsin the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of a housing 100 for an opticalcomponent in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Housing 100 can be formed from epoxy, plastic, fiberglass,metal or other suitable materials. Housing 100 includes canopy 104,which is disposed on tubular body 102 opposite from canopy 106. In oneexemplary embodiment, canopy 104 and canopy 106 can be identical, butcanopy 104 can alternatively have a shape, length, circumferential widthor other dimensions that are different from canopy 106, such as wherethe optical component or components contained within housing 100 are notsymmetrical.

Canopy 104 includes an angled front section 118 that is attached totubular housing 102 near front end 108. In one exemplary embodiment,canopy 104 can be attached around its perimeter to the surface oftubular housing 102 using an adhesive, an epoxy, a cement, a glue, bywelding or in other suitable manners. Straight side portions 122 ofcanopy 104 are also attached along the perimeter to tubular housing 102along the middle section of tubular housing 102, and angled rear section120 is attached to tubular housing 102 near the rear 110 of tubularhousing 102. Sloping front cover section 112 of canopy 104 can have adifferent shape and angle relative to the surface of tubular housing 102than sloping rear cover section 116, and both sections meet at peaksection 114, which can have a semicircular shape in a radial directionthat intersects with straight side portions 122. In this manner, canopy104 can be shaped so as to provide a housing for an internal opticalcomponent without the need for a bulky cylindrical shape, cubical shapeor other shapes that would be symmetric around the circumference oftubular housing 102.

In addition, the use of canopies for portions of an enclosed opticalassembly that do not fit within a tubular portion of the housing affordsa significant weight reduction to the housing, because of the compactsize. The canopy can also be configured to replace structural componentsthat would otherwise be needed to support the internal opticalcomponents, or can be used for covering purposes only without providingany additional structural support. The canopies also provide asignificant reduction in the diameter of the housing, as well as asignificant weight reduction. While the diameter of any lens componentsof the optical assembly that are housed within the cylindrical portionof the housing drive the diameter of that cylindrical portion, the othercomponents of the optical assemble, such as prisms, are typically notcircumferential, and do not require a cylindrical housing. The smallerdiameter of the loupe housing along with the unique non-cylindricalshape also allows for nose relief in the mounting and custom fitting ofthe final product.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an end view of a housing 200 for an opticalcomponent in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Housing 200 includes canopy 104, which has outersemicircular outer surface 206 and straight sides 204, and canopy 106,which has semicircular outer surface 208 and straight sides 202.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a tubular housing 300 for an optical component inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Tubular housing 300 includes canopy well 302 and canopy well 306, whichare inset into the surface of tubular housing 300. Support 308 andsupport 310 used to provide structural support to two prism sections(not shown), and are formed by removing a hemispheric portion of tubularhousing 300 to form a support structure. Mask 304 is used to separatethe two prisms after they are installed, so as to define a predeterminedoptical path through tubular housing 300.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 of a tubular portion of a housing 402 for anoptical component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Tubular housing 402 includes rear end 402, canopywell edge 404, internal edge 410, support 412 and mask 406, whichincludes aperture 408.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cut-away view of a tubular portion of a housing500 for an optical component in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. Housing 500 includes rear end 502 and opticalcomponents lens 504, lens 506, lens 508 prism 510, prism 512, mask 516with aperture 518 and lens assembly 514. The optical components arecontained within housing 500, and are supported by housing 500 withoutthe need for external support structures. In this manner, housing 500and the associated optical components are lighter in weight and smallerin size than if an external framing structure was used to hold one ormore of the optical components.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an assembly 600 for aligning an optical componentin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Assembly 600 includes housing 602, which is secured to support 610 byfront support arm 504 and rear support arm 606. Inspection device 608 isused to observe the alignment of optical components within housing 602prior to securing the optical components to housing 602 with epoxy, glueor other suitable compounds.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an assembly 700 for aligning an optical componentin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Assembly 700 includes housing 706, which is first placed in v-shapedgroove 710 of base 708. Front support arm 702 and rear support arm 704are then secured into position, such as by using a set screw or in othersuitable manners, and hold housing 706 firmly in position. Opticalcomponents are then installed into housing 706, and aligned usinginspection device 712 before they are secured into position using epoxy,glue or other suitable compounds.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelyexamples of possible implementations. Many variations and modificationsmay be made to the above-described embodiments without departing fromthe principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus comprising: a tubular housing havingan axial length L and circumferential length C; a first canopy securedto the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the firstcanopy having a front sloping section and a rear sloping section thateach extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter; and asecond canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy andsecured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy,the second canopy having a front sloping section and a rear slopingsection that each extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outerperimeter.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein a circumferentiallength of the first canopy is different from a circumferential length ofthe second canopy.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein an axial lengthof the first canopy is different from an axial length of the secondcanopy.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein an angle of a frontsloping section of the first canopy relative to an axial surface of thetubular housing is different from an angle of a rear sloping section ofthe first canopy relative to the axial surface of the tubular housing.25. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an optical assemblydisposed within the tubular housing, the first canopy and the secondcanopy.
 26. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an opticalassembly disposed within the tubular housing, the first canopy and thesecond canopy, the optical assembly comprising a plurality of lenses anda plurality of prisms.
 27. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprisingan optical assembly disposed within the tubular housing, the firstcanopy and the second canopy, the optical assembly comprising: one ormore first lenses; one or more prisms disposed axially adjacent to theone or more first lenses; and one or more second lenses disposed axiallyadjacent to the one or more prisms and opposite the one or more firstlenses.
 28. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an opticalassembly disposed within the tubular housing, the first canopy and thesecond canopy, the optical assembly comprising two or more prismsseparated by a mask.
 29. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising anoptical assembly disposed within the tubular housing, the first canopyand the second canopy, the optical assembly comprising two or moreprisms separated by a mask having an aperture.
 30. A method comprising:placing a tubular housing in a v-shaped groove; securing a front portionof the tubular housing to the v-shaped groove; securing a rear portionof the tubular housing to the v-shaped groove; placing the opticalassembly into a support structure of the tubular housing; securing theoptical assembly into the tubular housing; and securing the first canopyand the second canopy over the optical assembly.
 31. The method of claim30 further comprising confirming an alignment of the optical assemblywith an inspection device prior to securing the optical assembly intothe tubular housing.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein securing theoptical assembly into the tubular housing comprises securing the opticalassembly into the tubular housing using one or more of an epoxy, a glue,a cement and an adhesive.
 33. The method of claim 30 wherein securingthe optical assembly into the tubular housing comprises: placing a firstprism into the tubular housing; placing a mask into the tubular housingon the first prism; and placing a second prism into the tubular housingon the mask.
 34. An apparatus comprising: a tubular housing having anaxial length and a circumferential length; a first canopy secured to thetubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the first canopyextending for an axial length and for a circumferential length; and asecond canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy andsecured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy,the second canopy extending for an axial length and for acircumferential length.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein thecircumferential length of the first canopy is different from thecircumferential length of the second canopy.
 36. The apparatus of claim34 wherein the axial length of the first canopy is different from theaxial length of the second canopy.
 37. The apparatus of claim 34 whereinan angle of a front sloping section of the first canopy is differentfrom an angle of a rear sloping section of the first canopy.
 38. Theapparatus of claim 34 further comprising an optical assembly disposedwithin the tubular housing, the first canopy and the second canopy. 39.The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising an optical assemblydisposed within the tubular housing, the first canopy and the secondcanopy, the optical assembly comprising a plurality of lenses and aplurality of prisms.
 40. In an apparatus having a tubular housing havingan axial length L and circumferential length C, a first canopy securedto the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the firstcanopy having a front sloping section and a rear sloping section thateach extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter, asecond canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy andsecured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy,the second canopy having a front sloping section and a rear slopingsection that each extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outerperimeter, wherein a circumferential length of the first canopy isdifferent from a circumferential length of the second canopy, wherein anaxial length of the first canopy is different from an axial length ofthe second canopy, wherein an angle of a front sloping section of thefirst canopy relative to an axial surface of the tubular housing isdifferent from an angle of a rear sloping section of the first canopyrelative to the axial surface of the tubular housing, an opticalassembly disposed within the tubular housing, the first canopy and thesecond canopy, the optical assembly having one or more first lenses, oneor more prisms disposed axially adjacent to the one or more firstlenses, one or more second lenses disposed axially adjacent to the oneor more prisms and opposite the one or more first lenses, wherein two ormore prisms are separated by a mask having an aperture, a methodcomprising: placing a tubular housing in a v-shaped groove; securing afront portion of the tubular housing to the v-shaped groove; securing arear portion of the tubular housing to the v-shaped groove; placing theoptical assembly into a support structure of the tubular housing;securing the optical assembly into the tubular housing; securing thefirst canopy and the second canopy over the optical assembly; confirmingan alignment of the optical assembly with an inspection device prior tosecuring the optical assembly into the tubular housing; and whereinsecuring the optical assembly into the tubular housing comprises:securing the optical assembly into the tubular housing using one or moreof an epoxy, a glue, a cement and an adhesive; placing a first prisminto the tubular housing; placing a mask into the tubular housing on thefirst prism; and placing a second prism into the tubular housing on themask.